Pocket-size dispenser

ABSTRACT

A pocket-size dispenser for dispensing granular goods such as sweeteners of pharmaceuticals. The dispenser has the outer form of a ball point pen with a push-button at the rear end. By pressing the push-button a piston projects from a discharge opening and releases a small quantity of goods stored inside of the dispenser. Refilling is effected by putting the front end of the dispenser into an aperture of a refill container, then turning the dispenser together with the refill container around and moving the piston in rearward direction to open the discharge opening preferably by turning the push-button.

United States Patent 1191 Alden 1451 July 16, 1974 [54] POCKET-SIZE DISPENSER 3,353,718 11/1967 McLay....l 222/158 7 [76] Inventor: Paul Peter Alden, Rebberstrasse 57, 3,606,094 9/1971 Mills eta. 222/229 X (f -8049 Z i h S i d FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS France u [21] Appl. N0.: 213,549 Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Joseph J. Rolla [30] Foreign Application Priority Data v Attorney Agent or Passe Jan. 29, Switzerland I' I [52 us. c1. 222/361, 141/320 A Pocket-me dispense dispensing granular goods 511 Int. Cl. G0lf 11/18 Such as Sweeteners of Pharmaceuticals The dispenser [58] Field of Search 222/226 229 322, 336 has the outer form of a ball point pen with a push- 222/3447 346 354 355 361 362 158 175 button at the rear end. By pressing the push-button a 342 343 425, 444 401/319 2 piston projects from a discharge opening and releases 321 4 320 a small quantity of goods stored inside of the dispenser. Refilling is effected by putting the front end of [56] References Cited the dispenser into an aperture of a refill container,

then turning the dispenser together with the refill con- UNITED STATES PATENTS tainer around and moving the piston in rearward dik rection to open the discharge opening preferably by en 3,064,858 11/1962 Ziegler.... 222/361 x tummg the push button 3,275,132 9/1966 Hultgren 401/6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures I] 14 a W i -1 b L 8 c 11 l t 10' PATENTED JUL 1 61874 sum 1 or 2 Fig. 1

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PATENTEUJUL 1 61974 SHEET 2 OF 2 Fig. 7

1 POCKET-SIZE DISPENSER The present invention relates to a dispenser for powdered goods, and more particularly to a pocket-size dispenser for pulverized pharmaceuticals, sweeteners, salt or spices.

lt.is inconvenient and unhygienic to take out small tablets of usual packaging by fingers. Accordingly it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a dispenser which allows the release of a required quantity of goods in a hygienic way by pressing a knob without touching the goods avoiding thereby infections, especially at epidemic times.

It is another important object of the present invention to provide a dispenser which is clean and tight so that no powder can drizzle out unwanted.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser which can easily be handled and which can be refilled by simple operations.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved dispenser which is relatively simple and robust in construction, economical to manufacture and which has only a minimum of parts.

These and other objectives ofv the present invention will be further explained or will become apparent from the following specification, claims and drawings, in which: 8

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through the dispenser according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-section along the line ll-Il in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged part longitudinal section,

FIG. 4 is a view of the dispenser in the refilling position together with a refilling container;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section through the upper part of a modification of a dispenser;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section along linesVl-Vl in FIGS;

FIG. 7 is a partial longitudinal section through a further modification of the dispenser.

The dispenser is intended for dispensing small quantities of powdered, granular or drizzling goods such as sweeteners (saccharine), pulverized pharmaceuticals or spices. The dispenser which is portable comprises an elongated sleeve 2 or cartridge forming a front part and having a hollow space 1 or chamber for storing the goods to be dispensed. The sleeve 2, may, for example, be made of transparent plastics material. The sleeve 2 is coacting with a cap 11 forming a rear part. The intermeshing parts 2 and 11 have in their circumferenceat least one ring-shaped cam 22 or rib and at least one groove 12 or recess on the inner wall. The cap 11 and/or the sleeve 2 consist of elastic material so that the cap 11 and the sleeve 2 can be fitted'without thread by axial movement only. At the front end the sleeve 2 has a cylindrical discharge opening 3. The other end of the sleeve 2 is closed by a gasket 4 or plug. The gasket 4 is provided with a hole extending in axial direction for passing through a piston-rod 5 or slab. The piston-rod 5 is connected with a piston 6 at. the front end, which is adapted to engage in the discharge opening 3 with true size. At the circumference of the piston 6 a ring-shaped recess 7, cavity of groove is formed which corresponds to the quantity of goods to be dispensed at a time. At the other end the rod 5 is .2 v is secured against distortion by a hexagonal hole 10 in the cap 11. Between the nut 9 and the hole 10 there exists some play 17, so that the nut 9 can be moved in axial direction without disturbance. The nut 9 is pressed by a spring 13 on to the upper wall of the cap 11. The other end of the spring 13 pushes against the front end 26 of the gasket 4. The rear end of the cap 11 has a hole through which the rear end of the rod 5 is passing and forms a push-button part 14. The pushbutton part 14, the rod 5 and the piston 6 are preferably formed as an integral single piece. The rod 5 is flattened along a part of its length in the space 1 so that two parallel sides l5, 16 are formed to help loosen the goods by turning the push-button 14 if it should, become baked for example due to unfavorable atmospheric conditions. I

The length a of the push-button is shorter than the axial space b of the hole 10. Further the length a is shorter than the length d of the piston 6, but greater than the axial distance e from the front end of the piston 6 to the upper edge 25 of the recess 7, so that the discharge opening is closed by the upper part of the piston 6 after the push-button is fully pressed. The length 0 of the thread 8 is substantially greater than the axial length of the hole 10, so that for refilling purposes the piston can be moved over a sufficient distance to open the discharge opening 3 by turning the pushbutton 1.4 and unscrewing the thread 8 of the pistonrod 5 from the nut 9 which is secured against rotation but axially movable.

' ln. FIGS. 5 and 6 a modification of a dispenser according to the invention is showed. The rod 5 is equipped with an axially extending rib 28. The bottom of the cap 11 is provided with a groove 29 or slot. For refillingpurposes the push-button 14 is so turned that the rib 28 and the groove 29 are in alignment whereuponthe push-button 14 together with the rod 5 and the piston can be withdrawn. After filling the pushbutton 14 is pushed in the opposite direction and turned. In other respects the dispenser according to FIGS. 5 and 6 is working in the same manner as described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 7 shows a further modification of a dispenser according to the invention. The 'rod 5 is guided in the gasket 4.in a non-revolving manner by a non-circular. part 30. On the other hand the cap 11 can be turned relative to the sleeve 2 by hand in the groove 12. By this turning movement the axial length between the cap 11 and the sleeve 2 is maintained but the nut 9 is screwed on the The operation of the device according to FlGS. 1 to 4 is as follows:

By pressing the push-button 14 by a finger, the piston 6 projects from the sleeve 2 so far that the recess 7 com taining the quantity of the goods to be dispensed will be provided with a thread 8 over a part of its length. A

hexagonal nut 9 is engaged by the thread 8. The nut 9 outside of the di'scharge opening 3 and therefore the goods will be released. By releasing pressure of the push-button 14 the discharge opening is closed by the tight-fitting cylindrical part of the piston 6.

To refill the chamber 1 of the dispenser the front end of the sleeve 2 having a conical form 20 will be put firmly into a corresponding fitting aperture 21 of a refill container 24. Then the dispenser together with the refill container 24 have'to be turned around so that the refill container 24 will be on top of the dispenser as shown in FIG. 4. By turning the push-button 14 the piston 6 is drawn back into the chamber 1 so that the opening 3 is no longer closed but the chamber 1 can be refilled through the discharge opening 3. if the pushbutton 14 after filling is turned in the opposite direction the piston 6 will close the opening 3. Before separating the dispenser from the refill container they must both be turned around to the original position. I

Refilling of the dispenser according to FIGS. and 6 will be effected in substantially the same manner, but the push-button will just be turned until the rib 28 is in aligned position with the groove 29 and then the pushbutton 14 will be drawn back.

If a dispenser as shown in FIG. 7 is to be refilled, the cap 11 must be turned instead of the push-button 14 for drawing back the piston.

The pocket-size dispenser has preferably the outer form of a ball point pen with a clip 18.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that a wide variety of dispensers might be provided for accomodating many different goods without departing from the spirit of this invention.

I claim:

l. in a pocket-size dispenser for dispensing powdered goods, especially sweeteners, wherein an elongated hollow front part (2) and an elongated rear part (11) are connected to each other, said front part (2) forming a container (1) for storing said powdered goods and having a discharge opening (3) at its front end, wherein a piston (6) extends into said discharge opening (3) of said container (1), wherein a rod (5) is connected at one end to said piston (6) to extend axially through said front part (2) and through said rear part (11), said rod having a rear end extending out of said rear part (11) to form a push-button (14), and wherein compression spring means .(13) extend between a first fixed wall in said dispenser and a stop means on said rod to urge said stop means against a second fixed wall in said dispenser to hold said piston (6) normally in arest position to close said discharge opening (3) by said piston (6) when said push-button (14) is released, the improvement comprising means for moving the position of engagement of said stop means with said second wall with respect to said rod (5) for moving said piston (6) from said rest position rearwardly to a fixed retracted filling position to open the discharge opening, wherein the rod and its piston can take up a forwardposition for discharging said goods when said push-button is depressed, an intermediate position corresponding to said rest position for closing said discharge opening, and a fixed retracted refilling position, and refill coupling means as part of and arranged on the outside of said front end (2).

2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said piston (6) has at least one cavity (7) to take up a predetermined quantity of said powdered goods to be dispensed.

3. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said meansfor moving comprise a thread (8) extending along a part of the length of the rod (5), a nut (9) screwed on said thread (8), and securing means (10) for securing said nut (9) against rotation in said rear part, said unit being longitudinally movable in said rear part for dispensing said goods, said rod (5 being turnably guided in said front and rear parts (2, 11), so that said discharge opening (3) can be opened for refilling purposes by turning said push-button (14) in one direction and closed by turning said push-button (14) in the opposite direction.

4; The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said front part and said rear part are rigidly held together by groove and cam means (12, 22).

5. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said means for moving comprises a thread (8) extending along a part of the length of the rod (5), a nut (9) screwed on said thread (8), and securing means (10) longitudinally movable in said rear part (11) for securing said nut against rotation, means for securing said rod (5) against rotation relative to said front part (2), means for rotatably connecting said rear part(1l) to said front part (2) whereby said discharge opening (3) can be opened for refilling by turning said rear part (11) relative to said front part (2) in one direction and closed by turning said rear part (11) in the opposite direction.

6. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said rod (5) is of noncircular cross-section (l5, 16) along at least a part of its length extending through said container (l).

7. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said piston (6), said rod (5) and said push-button (14) form a single integral part.

8. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said front part (2) is at least partially translucent, and wherein the front and rear part (2, 11) have substantially an outer shape corresponding to a ball point pen. 

1. In a pocket-size dispenser for dispensing powdered goods, especially sweeteners, wherein an elongated hollow front part (2) and an elongated rear part (11) are connected to each other, said front part (2) forming a container (1) for storing said powdered goods and having a discharge opening (3) at its front end, wherein a piston (6) extends into said discharge opening (3) of said container (1), wherein a rod (5) is connected at one end to said piston (6) to extend axially through said front part (2) and through said rear part (11), said rod having a rear end extending out of said rear part (11) to form a push-button (14), and wherein compression spring means (13) extend between a first fixed wall in said dispenser and a stop means on said rod to urge said stop means against a second fixed wall in said dispenser to hold said piston (6) normally in a rest position to close said discharge opening (3) by said piston (6) when said push-button (14) is released, the improvement comprising means for moving the position of engagement of said stop means with said second wall with respect to said rod (5) for moving said piston (6) from said rest position rearwardly to a fixed retracted filling position to open the discharge opening, wherein the rod and its piston can take up a forward position for discharging said goods when said push-button is depressed, an intermediate position corresponding to said rest position for closing said discharge opening, and a fixed retracted refilling position, and refill coupling means as part of and arranged on the outside of said front end (2).
 2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said piston (6) has at least one cavity (7) to take up a predetermined quantity of said powdered goods to be dispensed.
 3. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said means for moving comprise a thread (8) extending along a part of the length of the rod (5), a nut (9) screwed on said thread (8), and securing means (10) for securing said nut (9) against rotation in said rear part, said unit being longitudinally movable in said rear part for dispensing said goods, said rod (5) being turnably guided in said front and rear parts (2, 11), so that said discharge opening (3) can be opened for refilling purposes by turning said push-button (14) in one direction and closed by turning said push-button (14) in the opposite direction.
 4. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said front part and said rear part are rigidly held together by groove and cam means (12, 22).
 5. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said means for moving comprises a thread (8) extending along a part of the length of the rod (5), a nut (9) screwed on said thread (8), and securing means (10) longituDinally movable in said rear part (11) for securing said nut against rotation, means for securing said rod (5) against rotation relative to said front part (2), means for rotatably connecting said rear part (11) to said front part (2) whereby said discharge opening (3) can be opened for refilling by turning said rear part (11) relative to said front part (2) in one direction and closed by turning said rear part (11) in the opposite direction.
 6. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said rod (5) is of noncircular cross-section (15, 16) along at least a part of its length extending through said container (1).
 7. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said piston (6), said rod (5) and said push-button (14) form a single integral part.
 8. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said front part (2) is at least partially translucent, and wherein the front and rear part (2, 11) have substantially an outer shape corresponding to a ball point pen. 